The Other Side of the Story -- Strawberry Fields

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Richard Skorman is leading Save Cheyenne, which plans to sue the city.

A group opposed to the city’s land swap with The Broadmoor will challenge the deal in district court as early as Friday.

The nonprofit Save Cheyenne, formed in response to the land swap, also plans a signature campaign to place a measure on the city’s April 2017 ballot that would require a vote of the people to sell, transfer or trade any land dedicated as parks or public open space.

 

The Strawberry Fields land exchange was bitterly opposed by hundreds of residents prior to City Council’s 6-3 approval on May 24. Councilors noted they received more feedback against the trade than any other issue in several years, but only Councilors Helen Collins, Jill Gaebler and Bill Murray voted no.

The focus remains on the 189-acre Strawberry Fields open space in Cheyenne Cañon, about nine acres of which The Broadmoor plans to use for a stable and picnic area for its guests. The remainder would be open for public use through a conservation easement.

“We think this is a terrible precedent to [trade] public land that’s park land that’s been in the family for 131 years, and was voted on by the voters who taxed themselves [to pay for it],” says Richard Skorman, former vice mayor and head of Save Cheyenne. “It’s been used as a park all that time. We think it’s a terrible precedent to say it’s OK to trade or sell this property without a vote of the people.”